Rape threatens mental health – Fitness Coach, Kwavi Agbeyegbe

Kwavi Agbeyegbe is a reputable Dietician and a weight loss expert/lifestyle coach; as well as being a wife. She graduated with a degree in Information and Technology at the University of West London and went further to obtain a Master’s in Medical Informatics at a University in Boston, USA. Today, she has gained a reputation in the US for having helped a lot of people stay healthy and in shape.

In this interview, she talks about her upcoming project in Nigeria tagged, “the campaign” #MiraclesForMirable. MiraclesForMirable is a Project for rape victims who do not have anyone to solicit for their cause in Nigeria and is slated for November 12th, 2016.

Read on…

By Florence Amagiya

YOU are in the health and fitness business, how have you fared so far?

Health and Fitness is a passion of mine. The business has its ups and downs with more ups than downs, however it’s so fulfilling and I love the opportunity to help women find a way to live a healthy life that fits their schedule and lifestyle.

Kwavi Agbeyegbe

What additional thing do you wish to add to this craft and love if given the opportunity?

I would love to speak to young girls so that they can start from an early age to love and respect their bodies and learn healthy habits.

You have taken this passion to the US, do you wish that Africans -perhaps Nigerians- have a taste of your method in the nearest future?

In the past, I have had online clients across Africa, however face-to-face interactions with clients is so powerful. My goal is to offer more live events and wellness coaching programs to women in Nigeria and other countries in Africa utilizing a combination of face-to-face and online methods.

Tell us about your hatched plans for the African woman/ Youth and girl child using Nigerians as a case study.

My plan is to be able to create programs that allow trained personnel to speak to students at the secondary school level making them aware of sexual assault/rape and empowering them to realize that they are not to blame and there is no shame.

As well as encouraging them to speak up if it happens to them or someone they know, especially in our Nigerian environment. Right now it is difficult to tell how many people experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, or how many rape survivors do not report the crime to law enforcement.

What support are you looking at from the Government, bearing in mind that nothing like this has ever been done or achieved in Nigeria?

I would like to advocate for the collaboration between the law enforcement and judicial systems, so that laws cannot just be created but enforced. In this way, that those that are found to be guilty of sexual assault or sexual violence towards any individual will be held accountable. These laws should be National, and apply to all states of the country.( I would also like the government to look into creating specific laws that apply to those that are found guilty of sexual assault or rape of minors (anyone under the age of 18)

So far, you have been successful in all your set Projects with great testimonies from women all around the world, especially in the US; would you say you have what it takes to push this latest project of yours to the peak, bearing in mind the challenges you would encounter in this country?

I’m very aware of the challenges ahead. However I believe that taking steps, small or otherwise is what will help the mindset around sexual assault and rape.

Awareness creates change, you tell one person, they tell another, using social media and other methods and before you know it a movement has been created.

Sexual assault and rape dialogue

Everyone has a vested interest in the sexual assault and rape dialogue. Everyone has one or more of the following – a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, female friends. I can’t do this alone.

How would this project benefit the public in general?

#MiraclesForMirable benefits all in various ways from awareness to education. The Kwavithon 5K event provides the platform to bring awareness of the prevalence of rape in our community and opens up the conversation on what we can do to reduce the incidence of rape in our society.

It could start with more respect for these women, not creating a climate that encourages sexual assault, and also making it easier for them to identify and speak up about their aggressors.

Where do you see this project in Nigeria in the next 10 years?

On a national level with events being held in various states to bring awareness to the subject of rape and sexual assault as well as more severe consequences for those found guilty of rape or sexual assault anywhere in Nigeria.

What more should we be expecting from you? You are a weight loss coach, a Lifestyle Coach and now this!

Philanthropy work and a grassroots movement in Nigeria where there is more awareness and support for survivors of sexual assault and rape.

Remember that health and wellness also includes mental health, and many victims of sexual assault end up being adversely affected in different ways if they do not receive the support and emotional encouragement they deserve.

Let’s walk or run on Saturday, November 12th to create awareness and raise funds to help support the efforts of the Mirable Centre, a service, which unfortunately is needed in the Lagos community and its environs.

The Kwavithon 5K is a run/walk being organized by International Lifestyle Coach, Kwavi Agbeyegbe to support the Mirable Centre, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) based in Lagos. The Kwavithon 5K event provides the platform to bring awareness of the prevalence of rape in our community and opens up the conversation on what we can do to reduce the incidence of rape in our society. Currently over 70% of the sexual assault/rape survivors that come to Mirable Centre are under the age of 18.